Module 2: Environmental Sustainability

What is the primary cause of the current phase of global warming?

• Natural fluctuations in the Earth's climate

• Volcanic eruptions

• Emission of greenhouse gases by human activities

• Decreased solar activity

Answer explanation

According to scientific consensus, the primary cause of the current phase of global warming is: Emission of greenhouse gases by human activities. Human activities, primarily the burning of fossil fuels (coal, oil, and natural gas), release large amounts of greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide, into the atmosphere.

• These gases trap heat, leading to a gradual increase in the Earth's average temperature.

• While natural fluctuations and volcanic eruptions can influence climate, the overwhelming evidence indicates that human activities are the dominant driver of the current warming trend.

What is a major effect of melting ice caps and glaciers?

• Increased global temperatures

• Decreased frequency of hurricanes

• Rising sea levels that threaten coastal areas

• Improved agricultural yields in cold regions

Answer explanation

The major effect of melting ice caps and glaciers is: Rising sea levels that threaten coastal areas. When ice on land (like glaciers and ice sheets) melts, the water flows into the oceans, causing them to expand. This leads to a rise in sea levels, which can inundate coastal communities, erode shorelines, and increase the risk of flooding. This is a large threat to many coastal cities around the world.

Which ecological impact results from ocean acidification?

• Increased fish populations

• Damage to marine organisms with calcium carbonate structures

• Enhanced coral reef formation

• Reduced ocean temperatures

Answer explanation

The ecological impact that results from ocean acidification is: Damage to marine organisms with calcium carbonate structures. Ocean acidification occurs when increased carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is absorbed by the ocean. This leads to a decrease in the ocean's pH, making it more acidic. This increased acidity makes it harder for marine organisms, such as corals, shellfish, and some plankton, to build and maintain their calcium carbonate shells and skeletons. This can lead to weakened shells, slower growth, and increased vulnerability to predators and disease.

How does climate change affect human health?

• Increases air quality in cities

• Reduces heat-related illnesses

• Leads to heatwaves and the spread of diseases

• Eliminates the need for water treatment

Answer explanation

The correct answer is: Leads to heatwaves and the spread of diseases. Here's why:

• Heatwaves: Climate change is increasing the frequency and intensity of heatwaves, which can lead to heatstroke, dehydration, and exacerbate existing health conditions.  

• Spread of Diseases: Warmer temperatures and changes in precipitation patterns can create favorable conditions for the spread of vector-borne diseases (like malaria and dengue fever) and waterborne diseases.  

What is a significant cause of resource depletion?

• Efficient use of natural resources

• Population growth and overconsumption

• Reduction in industrial activities

• Decrease in agricultural practices

Answer explanation

The most significant cause of resource depletion is: Population growth and overconsumption

Here's why: As the global population increases, so does the demand for resources like water, food, energy, and minerals. Overconsumption, particularly in developed nations, exacerbates this problem. This refers to using resources at a rate that far exceeds their ability to be replenished.  

Which practice is part of conservation strategies?

• Intensive deforestation

• Use of high-yield farming without regulation

• Implementation of sustainable practices

• Increasing reliance on fossil fuels

Answer explanation

The correct answer is Implementation of sustainable practices. Here's why: Sustainable practices aim to meet current needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. This includes things like sustainable forestry, renewable energy, responsible agriculture, and waste reduction, all of which are core to conservation.

• Why the other options are wrong:

• Intensive deforestation: This practice destroys habitats, reduces biodiversity, and contributes to climate change, directly opposing conservation efforts.

  Use of high-yield farming without regulation: While high-yield farming can produce more food, without regulation, it often leads to excessive use of pesticides and fertilizers, soil degradation, and water pollution, all of which harm the environment.

  Increasing reliance on fossil fuels: Fossil fuels are non-renewable and their combustion releases greenhouse gases, contributing to climate change and environmental degradation, which is contrary to conservation goals.

What is a benefit of effective pollution management for companies?

• Increased risk of legal penalties

• Enhanced community relations and customer loyalty

• Reduced investor interest

• Higher waste generation rates

Answer explanation

A significant benefit of effective pollution management for companies is enhanced community relations and customer loyalty. Here's why: When companies actively work to reduce their environmental impact through effective pollution management, they demonstrate corporate social responsibility. This leads to a positive public image, builds trust with the local community, and attracts environmentally conscious customers who are more likely to support and remain loyal to such businesses.

Here is why the other options are incorrect:

• Increased risk of legal penalties: This is the opposite. Effective pollution management helps companies avoid legal penalties, fines, and lawsuits by ensuring compliance with environmental regulations.

• Reduced investor interest: Again, the opposite is true. Increasingly, investors are looking for companies with strong Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) performance. Effective pollution management falls under the "Environmental" aspect and can attract socially responsible investors, leading to increased investor interest and potentially better access to capital.

• Higher waste generation rates: Effective pollution management aims to reduce waste generation through waste prevention, recycling, and efficient resource use, not increase it.

What is the primary purpose of protected areas like national parks?

• Supporting industrial activities

• Safeguarding ecosystems from harmful human activities

• Promoting urban expansion

• Mining and resource extraction

Answer explanation

The primary purpose of protected areas like national parks is Safeguarding ecosystems from harmful human activities. Here's why:

• Supporting industrial activities: Protected areas are generally opposed to industrial activities within their boundaries, as these can cause significant environmental damage.

• Promoting urban expansion: National parks and other protected areas are specifically designed to limit human development and preserve natural landscapes, not to promote urban growth.

• Mining and resource extraction: Like industrial activities, mining and resource extraction are typically prohibited or severely restricted in protected areas due to their destructive impact on ecosystems.

Which threat to biodiversity is directly caused by urban expansion?

• Overexploitation of marine species

• Invasive species introduction

• Habitat destruction

• Noise pollution

Answer explanation

The threat to biodiversity directly caused by urban expansion is Habitat destruction. Here's why:

• Habitat destruction: As urban areas expand, natural landscapes like forests, wetlands, and grasslands are converted into buildings, roads, and other infrastructure. This directly destroys the homes and food sources of countless species, leading to population declines and even extinction. It also fragments remaining habitats, making it harder for species to move and find resources.

Let's look at why the other options are less directly caused by urban expansion:

• Overexploitation of marine species: While urban populations increase demand for seafood, overexploitation is primarily driven by unsustainable fishing practices, not the physical expansion of cities into marine environments.

• Invasive species introduction: Urban areas can be pathways for invasive species (e.g., through trade, accidental transport), and disturbed urban habitats can be more susceptible to them. However, the introduction itself isn't a direct consequence of the physical expansion of the city footprint, but rather a related human activity.

• Noise pollution: Noise pollution is a consequence of urban activity and can certainly impact wildlife behavior and health, but it's not the primary, direct cause of biodiversity loss in the same way that physically destroying habitat is.

What is a key goal of ecosystem restoration projects?

• Establishing new industrial zones

• Restoring habitats using native species

• Reducing the resilience of ecosystems

• Increasing pollution levels

Answer explanation

The key goal of ecosystem restoration projects is Restoring habitats using native species.

Here's why: This is a fundamental aspect of ecosystem restoration. The aim is to bring an degraded or damaged ecosystem back to a healthy state, often by reintroducing or supporting the growth of plant and animal species that are naturally found in that area. This helps to re-establish the ecological processes and biodiversity of the ecosystem.

Let's look at why the other options are incorrect:

• Establishing new industrial zones: This is the opposite of ecosystem restoration. Industrial zones typically lead to habitat destruction and increased pollution.

• Reducing the resilience of ecosystems: Ecosystem restoration aims to increase the resilience of ecosystems, making them better able to withstand disturbances like climate change, natural disasters, or human impacts.

• Increasing pollution levels: This is also the opposite of ecosystem restoration. A core part of restoration often involves remediating pollution and preventing future contamination